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Research Award

Why a Research Award:
According to the Standards for 21st Century Learner (Library Standards)  Learners should:
  • Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge.
  • Draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge.
  • Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society.
We believe an excellent research paper addresses all three standards.
The Research Award will be granted to the student paper that most exemplifies good research, quality writing and critical thinking.

What is the Award:
  • $100 and certificate to award winner
  • Dinner and movie for the award winner's teacher
  • Amazing addition to your resume or college application.

How to Apply:

  • Complete a research paper as part of a class assignment for the 2017-18 school year at Poway High School. 
  • Print and complete Entry Form with teacher's endorsement and turn into library.
  • Submitted paper must have been written in the same school year (not previous) for which you are submitting the paper.
  • Submit research paper, works cited and bibliography digitally to kpowell@powayusd.com
  • Turn in the print Entry Form and digitally submit the research paper, works cited and bibliography.
  • Printed entry form and digital submissions are due by Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at 3:30 pm.                 

How the Award will be Judged:

  • Judging will be based on the Research Award Rubric.
  • Judges will be recruited from PHS departments, a PHS administrator, the PHS librarian, a college librarian and invited community readers.



re·search

Systematic investigation or inquiry aimed at contributing to knowledge of a theory, topic, etc., by careful consideration, observation, or study of a subject. http://www.oed.com/

“Google is not a synonym for research.” 
                                                          Dan Brown, The Lost Symbol 

From the Davd Casey Copely Library:  http://cbury.libguides.com/research

2017 Research Award Winners:
Christine Wakayama (Ms. Roy's 9th grade class) won the award for her research paper, Electroshock Therapy: The Defibrillator of the Brain.

Honorable mention certificates were awarded to 10th grade, Megan Chavez (Ms. Spruill-Smith's student) for her paper, Technology Leads to False Claims from the Media and to 11th grade, Gabriela Spartz for her semester event on Roe v. Wade for Mr. Lewis' class.

Thank you to this year's judges: Ms. Allison Carr, Mr. Scott Fisher, Ms. Denise Kane, Ms. Joanna Kimmitt, Ms. Janet Lettang, Ms. Beth Perisic, Ms. Katherine Powell, Ms. Noreen Walton and Mr. Colin Young.

2016 Research Award Winners:
Megan Chavez (Ms. Roy's 9th grade class) won the annual award for her paper, Do Teacher's Unions Benefit the Educational System?

Honorable mention certificates were awarded to 10th grade, Khirin Dacanay (Ms. Proffit's student) for his essay Of Education and a Growing Society and to 11th grade, Stanley Von Ehrenstein-Smith (Ms. McMillan's student) for his essay The Perils of Religion.

Many thanks to this year's judges: Ms. Allison Carr, Mr. Scott Fisher, Ms. Janet Lettang, Ms. Katherine Powell, Ms. Gabriela Sontag and Mr. Colin Young

2015 Research Award Winners:

Aiden Conerty (Ms. Ambort's 10th grade class) and Zack Wong (Ms. Roy's 9th grade class) tied for first place!

Here are links to their papers.
The Forgotten Numbers by Aiden Conerty
Should Mars One Be Allowed to Lift Off? by Zack Wong

Honorable mention certificates were awarded to Anna Nordstrom for the best essay submitted by a senior and to Marissa Boyd for the best essay submitted by a junior.

2014 Research Award Winners:

Amy Walker for her paper, "Is the SAT Really Worth It?" 
Ms. Divona Roy won the Teacher/Mentor Award.

12th grade honorable mention was awarded to Anna Nunez for her paper, "EPCOT: Walt's Dream that Never Came True"

11th grade honorable mention was awarded to Shivani Lakkaraju for her paper, "Stem Cells".

Many thanks to our judges: Mr. Scott Fisher, Ms. Katherine Powell, Ms. Gabriela Sontag, Ms. Noreen Walton, Mr. Colin Young, Ms. Miriam Wiese and Ms. Janet Lettang.